Perfect Stranger (Serendipity's Finest 2.50)

“Cara?”

“Hartley. My best friend,” she reminded him.

Since Alexa was from the wealthier side of town and Serendipity kids tended to run in cliques, Alexa hadn’t grown up hanging in the same circles as Cara, and she was a few years older. But when she’d returned to Serendipity after med school, she and Cara had become reacquainted and grew close. Not that her father paid attention to his daughter’s friends.

“An abusive asshole almost strangled her behind Joe’s. I spent all night treating and worrying about her, and all you can talk to me about is that I treated sick children, as if there’s something wrong with that?” Alexa asked, her voice rising.

“Alexa, darlin’, glad I found you,” a familiar voice said.

Luke.

She glanced away from her father only to realize Luke must have come over while they were arguing and she hadn’t noticed. She’d been too busy making a spectacle, something that Luke, from the pissed-off look in his eyes, had obviously noticed.

“Am I interrupting something?” he asked.

“Who are you?” her father eyed Luke warily.

Alexa swallowed over the answer that came to mind. Dad, meet the hot guy I picked up at Joe’s, took home for wild sex, then left sleeping in my bed this morning. She had no doubt what Alan Collins would think about the way his daughter had chosen to spend her day off yesterday. Or the night that followed.

He wouldn’t appreciate her choice any more than she’d figured Luke would appreciate the note she’d left him, one she’d deliberately kept brusque enough that he wouldn’t think she was a clingy female. She’d tossed in a little white lie about having an emergency so she’d have an excuse for slipping out and avoiding the awkward morning after. Her plan seemed sound, since she hadn’t expected to see Luke again. Even if she’d thought about running into him, it wouldn’t have been here in the hospital, and definitely not so soon after the best, most explosive night of her life.

“Luke Thompson,” he said, extending his hand toward her father.

“Dr. Alan Collins.” The two men shook hands. “Which still doesn’t answer my question. Who are you and what do you want from my daughter?”

Alexa groaned. She was almost thirty-one years old and her father was acting like he had a right to ask. Jesus. “Dad, Luke’s a…he’s a friend.” She caught his sizzling gaze and was happy he accepted that description and kept his mouth shut. “And we’re going to talk. In private.”

“You have patients to see,” her father said, inserting himself into the conversation.

“No, I have lunch to eat.”

“Great! Because I came to take you out. I have a picnic basket in the car,” Luke said, having no problem interrupting and disagreeing with the other man.

“It’s chilly outside!” Alexa whipped her head toward him and looked, really seeing him for the first time. He wore a cream sweater that made his tanned skin even more appealing, and his golden eyes sparkled as if he had some plan in mind.

“My daughter’s right. And she doesn’t go out for lunch, she eats in the cafeteria so she can be around if she’s needed.”

Luke scowled at her father. “I know it’s cold, darlin’. I’m freezing down to my Texas bones. But if I’ve learned anything in the last twenty-four hours, it’s that you need to loosen up and have fun. So we’re getting out of here and having a picnic lunch somewhere private. Then you can come back and work.”

Her father stared at Luke as if the man had lost his mind.

Alexa was sure she’d have been doing the same thing—if she wasn’t so tempted by both his offer and the man himself. He hadn’t been put off by her note. He’d sought her out. Planned something special. And then there was the little fact that the vein in her father’s head began throbbing—the one that pulsed harder when she did something he didn’t agree with.

The devil on her shoulder wanted to stick it to Alan and do something that Alexa wanted for a change. But more important, the woman inside her that Luke had awakened last night wasn’t going quietly back to sleep.

She glanced at Luke, hoping to convey both her gratitude and the desire he’d reignited in one quick look. “Let me get my coat,” she said.

His grin—and the fire in his eyes—assured her he definitely shared her underlying desire.

“Alexa, we aren’t finished with this conversation,” her father said.

She straightened her shoulders. “I’m sure you’re not, Dad. But I am. At least for now.” But one thing she knew for sure: the argument and his pressure would be waiting for her when she returned.

* * *

Now Luke knew what Alexa was up against when it came to her father and her career. The man was a bastard, and though she stood up to him, it was no wonder she had no time for a social life or any kind of fun. Which made his mission all the more worthwhile. Sawyer thought Luke was insane but he’d recommended a place where he could take Alexa for privacy. He agreed that The Family Restaurant was the best place for him to pick up sandwiches and chips. Luke had a plan. He was in town for a couple of days, and he intended to make good use of them with Alexa.

He drove her out to the lake at the far edge of Serendipity. He parked the car and led her to the cabin on the lake that Sawyer’s father owned. The Rhodes men used the place for summer fishing but Sawyer assured him all he had to do was turn on the heat and the boiler would kick in.